Spring-Clean Your Makeup Stash

It's time for a fresh start this season.

Brand New Day - Your house isn’t the only thing that needs cleaning this spring. Make the time to sort through your beauty stash — the everyday and the special occasion stuff — and get rid of the items that can do you more harm than good. Here’s your guide to what needs to go and when. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel The first step is to know that items that are produced without preservatives will have an expiration date on them. And remember: if anything smells bad or looks discolored, toss it. (Photo: Fulvio De Filippi/Getty Images)

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Brand New Day - Your house isn’t the only thing that needs cleaning this spring. Make the time to sort through your beauty stash — the everyday and the special occasion stuff — and get rid of the items that can do you more harm than good. Here’s your guide to what needs to go and when. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel The first step is to know that items that are produced without preservatives will have an expiration date on them. And remember: if anything smells bad or looks discolored, toss it. (Photo: Fulvio De Filippi/Getty Images)

Liquid Foundation and Concealer - These can last about six months to a year, but if it has separated into layers or the color has shifted, it’s a wrap. Keep it out of sunlight to prevent premature spoiling. (Photo: Mark Tomalty/Masterfile/Corbis)

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Liquid Foundation and Concealer - These can last about six months to a year, but if it has separated into layers or the color has shifted, it’s a wrap. Keep it out of sunlight to prevent premature spoiling. (Photo: Mark Tomalty/Masterfile/Corbis)

Makeup Sponge - Even if you buy the washable ones, after a month of daily use they need to be replaced. And keep them as clean as possible in between by letting them air dry after each wash. (Photo: Peter Frank/Corbis)

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Makeup Sponge - Even if you buy the washable ones, after a month of daily use they need to be replaced. And keep them as clean as possible in between by letting them air dry after each wash. (Photo: Peter Frank/Corbis)

Mascara - Yeah, you only dip into that purple mascara once a month, but that doesn’t mean you can use it forever. That dark little tube is the perfect place for bacteria to grow, so you need to toss it after three months or risk eye infection (or at least a day of itchiness). Clumps and odor are also signs that it should go. If it’s unopened, it’s fine to hold on to. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez, Inc./Blend Images/Corbis)

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Mascara - Yeah, you only dip into that purple mascara once a month, but that doesn’t mean you can use it forever. That dark little tube is the perfect place for bacteria to grow, so you need to toss it after three months or risk eye infection (or at least a day of itchiness). Clumps and odor are also signs that it should go. If it’s unopened, it’s fine to hold on to. (Photo: Jose Luis Pelaez, Inc./Blend Images/Corbis)

Powder, Blush and Eye Shadow - You should be able to keep these for two years. If it gets super-crumbly and dry, it’s time to let it go. (Photo: Wavebreak Media Ltd./Corbis)

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Powder, Blush and Eye Shadow - You should be able to keep these for two years. If it gets super-crumbly and dry, it’s time to let it go. (Photo: Wavebreak Media Ltd./Corbis)

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Cream Blush - Whether in a pot or a stick, these last up to 12 to 18 months. If the texture or color has changed, it’s time for a new one. (Photo: NARS)

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Cream Blush - Whether in a pot or a stick, these last up to 12 to 18 months. If the texture or color has changed, it’s time for a new one. (Photo: NARS)

Lipstick and Lip Gloss - A tube of your favorite solid lip color can last two years, but if it hardens, give it up sooner. Lip gloss gets extra sticky when it’s past its prime and should be tossed after a year. (Photo: Wavebreak Media Ltd/Veer/Corbis)

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Lipstick and Lip Gloss - A tube of your favorite solid lip color can last two years, but if it hardens, give it up sooner. Lip gloss gets extra sticky when it’s past its prime and should be tossed after a year. (Photo: Wavebreak Media Ltd/Veer/Corbis)

Makeup Brushes - If they smell funny or are dropping bristles like an old Christmas tree, it’s time to re-up on brushes. If they seem fine, buy a brush-cleaning solution to help extend their life and wash them weekly. (Photo: Sephora)

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Makeup Brushes - If they smell funny or are dropping bristles like an old Christmas tree, it’s time to re-up on brushes. If they seem fine, buy a brush-cleaning solution to help extend their life and wash them weekly. (Photo: Sephora)

Lip and Eye Pencils - Constant sharpening means you can make these work for two years, or until they get too hard to use comfortably, whichever comes first. (Photo: NARS)

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Lip and Eye Pencils - Constant sharpening means you can make these work for two years, or until they get too hard to use comfortably, whichever comes first. (Photo: NARS)

Nail Polish - It hurts to turn over your collection, we know, but beyond a year or two, nail polish just doesn't do the job anymore. You’ll know it’s time to go if it’s gloppy or if it has separated into layers that don’t blend after a quick shake. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Nail Polish - It hurts to turn over your collection, we know, but beyond a year or two, nail polish just doesn't do the job anymore. You’ll know it’s time to go if it’s gloppy or if it has separated into layers that don’t blend after a quick shake. (Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/Blend Images/Corbis)

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Perfume - Your smell-goods can last up to a decade, if you store them away from light. That means they shouldn’t be displayed on your dresser or sink — a dark closet will prevent them from breaking down before their time. If they start to smell or look different, buy a replacement bottle. (Photo: Viktor & Rolf)

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Perfume - Your smell-goods can last up to a decade, if you store them away from light. That means they shouldn’t be displayed on your dresser or sink — a dark closet will prevent them from breaking down before their time. If they start to smell or look different, buy a replacement bottle. (Photo: Viktor & Rolf)

Liquid and Cream Eyeliner - Just like mascara, this stuff is all about hosting bacteria. Give it up after six months, tops. (Photo: Dana Hursey/Corbis)

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Liquid and Cream Eyeliner - Just like mascara, this stuff is all about hosting bacteria. Give it up after six months, tops. (Photo: Dana Hursey/Corbis)